Dear Chicago Residents and Partners,
Effective Thursday, March 19, 2020, all Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) offices will be closed to the public until further notice. This includes the following locations:
- BACP Administrative Offices, 121 N. LaSalle St. Room 805
- Small Business Center, 121 N. LaSalle St. Room 800
- Public Vehicle Licensing Center, 2350 W. Ogden Ave. 1st Floor
- Public Vehicle Inspection Facility, 2430 W. Pershing Ave.
BACP will continue processing business licenses, where applicable, online or over the phone. Please visit www.chicagobusinessdirect.org or call 312-74-GOBIZ. Please allow for extra time as BACP staff are working hard to keep City services going under this disruption.
The renewal of public passenger chauffeur and vehicle licenses that expire before April 1, 2020 will be deferred until April 30, 2020. BACP staff will continue to work servicing public vehicle licensees during closure to the public. BACP staff will be available at bacppv@cityofchicago.org and 312-746-4300.
Public vehicle inspections scheduled at the BACP Public Vehicle Inspection Facility from March 19, 2020 to March 31, 2020 will be rescheduled. An updated inspection list will be posted on the Public Vehicles page, and BACP will notify taxicab affiliations and license managers via e-mail of updated public vehicle inspection dates.
In addition to these changes at BACP, Mayor Lightfoot today announced a temporary suspension of debt collection, ticketing and towing practices to provide relief in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. This package will extend the deadline for Transportation Network Provider (TNP) and Taxi drivers to pay debt owed to the City to April 30th and eliminate debt holds on new licenses and permits.
Furthermore, the Mayor will soon announce additional economic relief measures to relieve the burden the outbreak has placed on businesses, as well as individuals, to help stabilize the health of our local economy.
As this situation develops we will continue updating you with the latest resources and information. Please note that, as of today, the state of Illinois has now mandated the cancellation of events of more than 50 people, and the White House is advising against gatherings of over 10 people.
To assist businesses, consumers and employees during this difficult time, BACP has created a dedicated resources page at www.chicago.gov/BACPCOVID19. Please visit that website for updated information on the available resources and steps the City is taking to support business owners.
For the latest health guidance and updates from the Chicago Department of Public Health, please visit www.chicago.gov/coronavirus.
We want you all to know that the City of Chicago is continuing to do everything that’s needed to keep all of Chicago safe, healthy and secure.
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